As I have written before, there is a veritable cottage
industry of papers identifying contamination of nearly every inanimate object you
can think of. [For my other posts on this topic, click here.]
One of the latest involves contamination of the surfaces of
electronic devices and in particular, iPads.
Without giving references, a New York Times article entitled "Cleaning the mobile germ warehouse" says, "Repeated studies show what accumulates [on device surfaces] is germy
nastiness worse than what is on the bottom of your shoe." A least it's not
a toilet
seat comparison.
The Times
cites a recent letter
to the editor of the American Journal of Infection Control which states
that the screens of 20 hospital-provided iPads were cultured looking for Staph
aureus, Clostridium difficile, and gram-negative organisms. Three grew Staph, but
neither of the other organisms was found.
They then inoculated screens with MRSA and C. diff. to test
various disinfection techniques. The use of wipes containing bleach effectively
decontaminated all the screens.
The Times piece launched into a long discussion of how
screens should be cleaned without any mention of the problem of extrapolating
what can be found on a hospital's iPad screens to what might be found on your
iPad screen or whether inoculating screens with bacteria is comparable to what
might be found with normal home or non-medical office use.
The senior author of the iPad screen study is quoted as saying, “That
devices can be a source of disease transmission is not a subject of debate
anymore." His study mentions no references to disease transmission by iPads or smart phones.
Excuse me, but I don't see what this research has to do with
transmission of disease. The study did not look at disease transmission but merely
colonization of surfaces. It showed that hospital-acquired organisms can
occasionally be found on a small number of iPad screens in one North Dakota hospital.
I would say the topic is still quite debatable.
iPads used in hospitals should be cleaned regularly. I have nothing against cleaning the screen of your iPad or
any other device you own. If nothing else, cleaning makes it easier to see, and
the device looks nicer.
What I have a problem with is the unquestioning endorsement of research like this.
But what the hell, headlines like "mobile germ warehouse" get clicks, and that's what
it's all about.
7 comments:
While I agree that the "mobile germ warehouse" needs better examination, I wonder if Semmelweiss' early observations might likewise have been short on hard evidence.
Actually, Semmelweiss had very good hard evidence, based on a comparison of rates of Puerperal fever among his patients (handled with washed hands) and the general obstetrical population (handled without hand washing). His difficulties did not stem from a lack of evidence, but from a lack of the establishment's willingness to accept the evidence.
I don't think the Skeptical Scalpel's skepticism reaches quite the same level of resistance that Semmelweiss had to contend with, and I agree completely with his concern re: the willingness of both the public and the health care professions' willingness to uncritically accept pretty much anything labeled 'research', especially if it conforms to their perceptual biases, or generates clicks.
While I was contemplating how to respond to Bill, Anonymous showed up with a much better comment than I would have made. Thanks.
Never fear, Corning is here to save the day problem or no problem:
http://www.gizmag.com/antimicrobial-corning-gorilla-glass-ces/30349/
Why didn't they think to make toilet levers and seats of this stuff?
Why not make everything out of it, including scrubs? I wonder how long it will take before the antimicrobial glass induces resistant organisms?
Silver has been used as an antimicrobial agent for many years in creams for burns and coatings on stents for example. Silver ion's charge is +1 so I think it sneaks into the cells via sodium pumps causing oxidative stress or interfering with translation. Silver ion resistant bacterial strains have been isolated. I suppose silver will become the new triclosan marketed to a germophobic public.
Yes, and everyone will wring their hands and worry about the fact that the bacteria are winning.
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.